Haigusrisk

Haigusrisk is the Estonian term for the probability that a person or population will develop a disease within a specified period. In public health and epidemiology, haigusrisk is used to quantify the likelihood of illness, assess the impact of risk factors, and inform prevention, screening, and resource allocation.

Etymology and usage: The word combines haigus (disease) with risk, reflecting its function as a measure of disease likelihood. It appears in health statistics, clinical risk assessments, and health communication in Estonian-language literature and practice.

Measurement and related concepts: Haigusrisk can be described through several related metrics. Absolute risk expresses the likelihood of developing a disease over a defined time frame. Relative risk (risk ratio) compares the haigusrisk between groups, such as exposed versus unexposed individuals. Odds ratio is commonly used in case-control studies, while hazard ratio applies to time-to-event analyses. Risk prediction models and tools, including risk calculators, estimate individual haigusrisk based on multiple factors.

Determinants and factors: Determinants of haigusrisk include demographic characteristics (age, sex), genetics, lifestyle (smoking, diet, physical activity), metabolic factors (blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose), environmental exposures, and preexisting health conditions. Interactions among factors can modify overall risk.

Applications and limitations: Haigusrisk informs screening programs, preventive interventions, and health policy. It supports patient counseling and shared decision-making. Estimates are probabilistic and depend on data quality, population studied, and model assumptions; they carry uncertainty and can be biased if confounding or calibration issues are not addressed.

See also: epidemiology, risk assessment, preventive medicine.